Fruit consumption trends show declining apple and rising pear demand in Germany

Data from the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) indicates shifting fruit consumption patterns in Germany. Per capita apple consumption has decreased from approximately 27 kilograms in 2010 to around 21 kilograms recently. This decline is observed across Europe, impacting growers who are already facing challenges from poor harvests due to heatwaves in France and drought in western and southwestern Germany.

In contrast, pear consumption in Germany has seen a significant increase. For the 2024/25 economic year, per capita pear consumption reached 2.8 kilograms, a 17 percent rise compared to the previous year and the highest level in nine years. While Germany produces about 14 percent of its pears, the remaining 86 percent are imported, primarily from the Netherlands, Belgium, and South Africa.